By Mambo Dogs teamEditorial review pendingSuggest a correction

Crossbreed · United States

Goldendoodle

Also called Groodle, Golden Doodle, Doodle

A sociable Golden Retriever and Poodle cross whose coat type decides how much of your week goes to brushing.

The Goldendoodle blends the Golden Retriever's easy friendliness with the Poodle's quick mind and often lower shedding. Size and coat vary widely depending on the Poodle parent and the generation of the cross. Most are playful, people-loving dogs that need frequent grooming, regular exercise and company.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

23 to 36 kg

51 to 79 lb

Height

51 to 61 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

15 months

approximate model input

Life with a Goldendoodle

Ask ten Goldendoodle owners what their dog looks like and you may get ten different answers. Breeders began crossing Golden Retrievers with Poodles in the 1990s, hoping to combine the retriever's gentle, sociable nature with the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat. Demand grew quickly, and today the cross comes in several sizes and in coats ranging from nearly flat to tightly curled.

Because the Goldendoodle is a cross rather than a standardized breed, predictability depends on breeding. A first-generation F1 litter can contain puppies with very different coats, while multigenerational lines bred for several generations tend to be more consistent. Size depends mostly on the Poodle parent: Standard Poodles produce large dogs, while Miniature and Toy Poodles produce minis and smaller.

In temperament, most Goldendoodles are affectionate, outgoing and playful, often greeting guests with enthusiasm and getting on well with children and other dogs. They are bright and trainable but can be boisterous in youth. They thrive on company and do best in homes where someone is around for a good part of the day, since long hours alone can lead to distress and chewing.

What stands out

Grooming

Grooming is the defining commitment. Wavy and curly coats need thorough brushing three to four times a week using a slicker brush and a metal comb, working in sections down to the skin (line brushing). Pay attention to behind the ears, the armpits, under the collar and the legs.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
Daily
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Light
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

families with children who want a friendly, social dog
people who prefer low shedding and accept that it is not guaranteed
owners with time or budget for regular grooming
active households that enjoy walks, swimming and games

Think twice if

professional grooming every six to eight weeks
unpredictable adult size and coat in early generations
bouncy, mouthy adolescence
struggles when left alone for long hours
ear infections under hairy, floppy ears

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Goldendoodle eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	28 kg	1180 kcal	320 g (3.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	28 kg	1340 kcal	365 g (3.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	31 kg	1450 kcal	395 g (4 cups)
Male, very active	31 kg	1820 kcal	490 g (5 cups)

Full Goldendoodle feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Goldendoodle

Feeding75 cups). 5 cups).Read more Puppy growthStandard Goldendoodles usually reach adult height between 12 and 15 months and continue filling out until about 18 months. Minis generally finish growing earlier, around 10 to 12 months.Read more ExerciseStandard Goldendoodles typically need 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day, while minis are happy with 45 to 60 minutes. Many love retrieving, swimming, hiking and playing with other dogs.Read more TrainingMost Goldendoodles pick things up quickly, combining the retriever's wish to please with the Poodle's sharp problem solving. Food and play are strong motivators, and short sessions of five to ten minutes, two or three times a day, suit them well.Read more HealthGoldendoodles can inherit conditions from both parent breeds, including hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, heart problems such as subvalvular aortic stenosis from the Golden Retriever side, and skin conditions like sebaceous adenitis from Standard Poodles. Responsible breeders screen both parents for hips, elbows, eyes and heart, and use relevant DNA tests.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Goldendoodles started appearing in North America and Australia in the 1990s, shortly after the Labradoodle drew attention to Poodle crosses.
2An F1 is a first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle; an F1B is an F1 bred back to a Poodle, giving about 75 percent Poodle ancestry.
3DNA tests can predict whether a puppy will have furnishings (the beard and eyebrows) and how curly its coat is likely to be.
4Standard Goldendoodles usually weigh 23 to 36 kg (50 to 80 lb), while minis from Miniature Poodle crosses often land between 7 and 16 kg (15 to 35 lb).
5A thorough brush-out down to the skin, several times a week, is what keeps a wavy or curly coat mat free between grooms.

Goldendoodle questions

Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?

Not reliably. Many wavy and curly Goldendoodles shed little, but allergens come from saliva and skin as well as hair, and some Goldendoodles inherit a shedding coat. People with mild allergies often cope well, while others react. Spend time with the specific dog or its parents before committing, and ask the breeder about coat DNA testing.

What do F1, F1B and multigen mean?

F1 is a first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. F1B is an F1 bred back to a Poodle, giving roughly 75 percent Poodle ancestry and often a curlier, lower-shedding coat. Multigenerational Goldendoodles come from Goldendoodle parents over several generations, usually with more predictable size and coat.

How big will my Goldendoodle get?

Size depends mainly on the Poodle parent. Standards typically weigh 23 to 36 kg (50 to 80 lb), minis 7 to 16 kg (15 to 35 lb), and smaller toy crosses less. The weights of both parents are the best guide. Early-generation crosses vary more, so a single litter may include puppies of different adult sizes.

Why is my Goldendoodle's coat straight?

Some Goldendoodles inherit the Golden Retriever's flat coat and lack furnishings, the facial hair that gives the doodle look. These dogs usually shed more. DNA tests can identify the furnishings and curl genes, helping breeders predict coat type. A straight-coated Goldendoodle is healthy, just different in appearance and shedding.

What is the difference between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle?

Both are Poodle crosses, but one uses a Golden Retriever and the other a Labrador. Goldendoodles often have slightly softer, longer coats and may be a touch gentler, while Labradoodles can be more energetic and sturdy. Individual variation is large, so temperament and coat depend more on the specific parents than on the label.

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